An electronic device includes a plurality of antenna modules, a first communication circuit communicating in a first communication scheme via at least one antenna module The electronic device also includes a second communication circuit communicating in a second communication scheme. The electronic device further includes a temperature sensor, a processor and a memory storing instructions. The instructions are configured to, when executed, enable the at least one processor to detect a temperature associated with the antenna module or the first communication circuit while communicating via the first communication circuit, identify a first control step among a plurality of control steps based on an operation type of the electronic device and the at least one temperature detected, and limit at least some operations on at least one of the at least one antenna module or the first communication circuit, corresponding to the identified first control step.
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2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to limit the operation of the at least one antenna module by turning off at least part of the at least one antenna module corresponding to the identified temperature.
This invention relates to thermal management in electronic devices, specifically for controlling antenna modules to prevent overheating. The device includes at least one antenna module and at least one processor configured to execute instructions. The processor monitors the temperature of the antenna module and identifies when it exceeds a threshold. In response, the processor limits the operation of the antenna module by selectively turning off at least part of it to reduce heat generation. This ensures the antenna module operates within safe thermal limits, preventing damage or performance degradation. The device may include multiple antenna modules, and the processor can independently control each module based on its temperature. The thermal management system dynamically adjusts antenna functionality to maintain optimal performance while avoiding overheating. This approach is particularly useful in devices with high-power antennas or those operating in environments with limited cooling, such as portable or embedded systems. The invention improves reliability and longevity by proactively managing thermal conditions.
3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to limit the operation of the at least one antenna module by reducing a number of antenna elements of the at least one antenna module corresponding to the identified temperature.
This invention relates to thermal management in electronic devices with antenna modules, particularly for optimizing antenna performance under high-temperature conditions. The device includes at least one antenna module with multiple antenna elements and at least one processor configured to monitor temperature data from a temperature sensor. The processor identifies when the temperature exceeds a predefined threshold, indicating potential performance degradation or safety risks. In response, the processor dynamically adjusts the antenna module's operation by reducing the number of active antenna elements to lower power consumption and heat generation. This reduction helps mitigate thermal issues while maintaining essential communication functionality. The adjustment may involve deactivating specific elements or groups of elements based on predefined criteria, such as temperature levels or signal quality requirements. The system may also restore full antenna functionality once temperatures return to safe levels. This approach balances thermal safety with communication reliability, particularly in devices where overheating could impair performance or cause damage. The invention is applicable to wireless communication devices, IoT systems, and other electronics where thermal management is critical.
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to limit the operation of the at least one antenna module by adjusting power of the at least one antenna module corresponding to the identified temperature.
5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to limit the operation of the first communication circuit by reducing a data throughput via the first communication circuit corresponding to the identified temperature.
This invention relates to thermal management in electronic devices, specifically addressing overheating in communication circuits. The device includes at least one processor and multiple communication circuits, where one circuit is identified as overheating based on temperature data. To mitigate this, the device reduces the data throughput of the overheating circuit proportionally to its temperature, preventing further heat buildup while maintaining essential functionality. The system dynamically adjusts communication performance to balance thermal safety and operational efficiency. The invention ensures stable operation by monitoring temperature thresholds and applying throughput reductions only when necessary, avoiding unnecessary performance degradation. This approach is particularly useful in portable or high-performance devices where thermal management is critical to reliability and user experience. The solution avoids abrupt shutdowns or throttling by gradually adjusting data rates, ensuring smoother operation under thermal stress. The invention may also include additional features like predictive temperature modeling or user-configurable thermal limits to further optimize performance. The core innovation lies in its adaptive, throughput-based thermal regulation, distinguishing it from traditional fixed-threshold or binary throttling methods.
7. The electronic device of claim 6, the instructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to set at least one of the first threshold temperature or the second threshold temperature based on the operation type of the electronic device.
This invention relates to thermal management in electronic devices, specifically adjusting temperature thresholds based on device operation to optimize performance and energy efficiency. The system monitors the device's operating conditions, including temperature and workload, and dynamically sets first and second threshold temperatures to control cooling mechanisms. The first threshold triggers a preliminary cooling action, while the second threshold activates a more aggressive cooling response. The thresholds are adjusted based on the device's operation type, such as high-performance computing, power-saving mode, or background tasks, ensuring efficient thermal regulation without unnecessary power consumption. The device may also predict future thermal conditions using historical data to preemptively adjust cooling strategies. This approach prevents overheating while maintaining optimal performance, extending battery life and component longevity. The system integrates with existing thermal sensors and cooling hardware, making it adaptable to various electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, and servers.
10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes a first temperature sensor disposed in at least one of an inside and an outside of the at least one antenna module and a second temperature sensor disposed in at least one of an inside and outside of the first communication circuit.
This invention relates to electronic devices with temperature monitoring for wireless communication systems. The problem addressed is the need to accurately monitor and manage heat generation in electronic devices, particularly in components like antenna modules and communication circuits, to ensure reliable performance and prevent overheating. The invention describes an electronic device with at least one antenna module and a first communication circuit for wireless communication. The device includes at least one temperature sensor configured to measure temperature in critical areas. Specifically, the temperature sensor system comprises a first temperature sensor placed either inside or outside the antenna module and a second temperature sensor placed either inside or outside the first communication circuit. These sensors enable real-time temperature monitoring of key components, allowing the device to adjust operations or trigger cooling mechanisms as needed. The placement of sensors in multiple locations ensures comprehensive thermal management, improving device reliability and longevity. The system may also support dynamic adjustments to transmission power or other operational parameters based on detected temperature levels. This approach helps prevent overheating, enhances performance, and extends the lifespan of the electronic device.
11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first communication scheme is a 5G communication protocol-based communication scheme, and the second communication scheme is a long-term evolution (LTE) communication protocol-based communication scheme.
This invention relates to electronic devices capable of supporting multiple wireless communication schemes, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently managing communication between a first communication scheme based on 5G protocols and a second communication scheme based on LTE protocols. The device includes a first communication module configured to establish a connection using the 5G protocol, which provides high-speed data transmission and low latency, and a second communication module configured to establish a connection using the LTE protocol, which offers broader coverage and compatibility with legacy networks. The device further includes a control module that dynamically selects between the two communication schemes based on factors such as signal strength, data requirements, and network availability. This ensures seamless switching between 5G and LTE to optimize performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. The control module may also coordinate data transmission, prioritizing high-bandwidth tasks over 5G while maintaining essential services over LTE when necessary. The invention enhances user experience by leveraging the strengths of both protocols, particularly in environments where network conditions fluctuate or where devices need to maintain connectivity across different network generations.
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January 17, 2022
November 22, 2022
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